Seafood and Lobster Facts

Be an Informed Consumer When Purchasing Lobster and Seafood

Inside the Bayley's retail store in Pine Point, Maine from where all of our Internet and phone orders are processed, packaged, and shipped.

It is important that you know and trust your seafood purveyor, so that you may believe in the freshness and quality of your product and the reliability of the staff whose job it is to send it to you. Many online companies that you will find selling Maine lobsters are middle-men, taking orders and having other ship out products that they never even see. Many are not even based in Maine, some are just call centers, who sell their telephone services, then once again, order the product from another facility and never see their product. This has been a winning financial combination for a lot of people, but we at Bayley’s Lobster Pound believe that when you order Maine lobsters, you expect old-fashioned New England pride to go into each of these packages, and it does here. When you call us you are calling directly into our lobster pound in Pine Point, Maine. Your order is packed here and UPS picks up at the door every afternoon. All of our prepared products are hand-made right here as well.

Lobsters and other seafood are brought in daily, and if you ever want to come see us and how we do our work you are welcome to visit. We have a retail area where you can choose you own lobsters and have us cook them while you wait. While your lobsters cook, try a Bayley’s Lobster Roll. Bayley’s Lobster Pound is the originator of this delicacy.

FAQ

What is the difference between a hard-shell lobster and a soft-shell lobster?In the summer, generally July and August, lobsters shed their shells so that they can grow. Once the lobsters have shed their old shells, there are new, soft shells underneath. These shells will harden over the course of time and as the water gets colder. Since the lobsters shed their shells in order to have room for growth the following year, there is less meat inside a soft-shell lobster than there is in a hard-shell lobster of the same size. This also accounts for their lower prices. Even though there is less meat in soft-shells than in hard-shells, many people prefer the taste of the soft-shells. They are considered sweeter and more tender than the hard-shells.

What does the color of the bands on the claws mean? The color of the bands means nothing. Fishermen buy many different colored bands and use them as necessary. They do not use bands to mark different sizes.

How many lobsters does it take to make a pound of lobster meat? It depends on the type and size of the lobsters used. Generally, it takes either 5 to 6 pounds of soft-shell lobsters or 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 pounds of hard-shell lobsters to make a pound of lobster meat.

How does Bayley's cook their lobsters? Our lobsters are boiled in ocean water in stainless steel boilers that you are able to see inside our retail area.

Is there a season for lobster? Legally, lobster fishermen in Maine may fish year round. However, most fishermen either do not fish in the winter, or they fish for other products such as shrimp and sea clams. Lobsters are least expensive in the summer when there are many people fishing and soft-shell lobsters are available.

How big do lobsters grow and how long does it take for them to grow? The largest lobsters that we know of or have seen have weighed 35 to 40 pounds. It takes lobsters an average of 5 to 7 years (depending on the water temperature) to grow to legal size, and they grow more slowly as they get larger. Therefore a lobster that weighs 3 pounds is an estimated 15-20 years old, and a 25 pound lobster would be approximately 75-100 years old.

Do lobsters feel pain? Lobsters do not feel pain as we do. They have no cerebral cortex, which is the area of our brains that gives us the sensation of pain. Lobsters also have no vocal cords, the hissing sound that you sometimes hear when they are cooked is the sound of air escaping from their shells.How long has

Bayley's Lobster Pound been in business?Bayley's Lobster Pound has been doing business in the same location and run by the same family for over 90 years. It is now owned and operated by third and fourth generation family members Bill and Susan Bayley.

Is Bayley's Lobster Pound related to other Bayley's businesses in Pine Point? No, Bayley's Lobster Pound exists in one location only. Owners of other Bayley businesses are family relations but the businesses are unrelated.

How many pounds of lobsters does Bayley's Lobster Pound sell per day? Bayley's Lobster Pound has a large wholesale as well as retail business and on an average summer day will sell 2,500 pounds of lobsters.

Why are lobster shells different colors?Lobsters have different pigments in their shells just like people have different pigments in their skin, and come in a variety of colors. We have had fishermen bring in blue lobsters, yellow lobsters, red lobsters (that were alive) and spotted lobsters. Usually, when lobsters are hard-shelled, their shells are a darker color. Also, when you cook hard-shell lobsters, their shells will turn a brick red color and sometimes even black, whereas soft-shelled lobsters, when cooked, are a bright red color.

What is the green stuff on the inside of the lobsters?It is known in Maine as tomale (or tomalley) and it is the liver of the lobster. It is used as a dip, or in stuffings or stews for extra flavor. Many people consider it a delicacy. You will sometimes find a waxy red substance in the tomale, this is the roe (also known as coral) and it is edible as well.

How can one keep lobsters alive while traveling or at home? You can keep lobsters alive by putting them in the refrigerator or packing them in a cooler with ice packs to keep them cold. DO NOT put them in water unless it is re-circulating, refrigerated salt water - lobsters will die very quickly when placed in water. Also DO NOT pack them on freshwater ice unless you are able to keep the lobsters from coming into direct contact with the melt water.

How long can I keep lobsters alive? This can vary from half an hour to 24 hours depending on a variety of factors: the type of lobsters (soft-shell or hard-shell), the time of the season, the temperature of the water at that time of year and your method of packing. Please ask an employee regarding your particular situation.Does Bayley's Lobster Pound ship lobsters?Absolutely, Bayley's Lobster Pound ships lobsters year round all over the United States via UPS Overnight service.

Does Bayley's Lobster Pound have a fleet of fishing boats? No, Bayley's Lobster Pound buys lobsters from independent fishermen who bring their catch in daily.